Workers at Northwest Ports Reject Contract Offer

By

Joel Millman

Updated Dec. 24, 2012 6:13 p.m. ET

PORTLAND, Ore.—Union members at four ports in the Pacific Northwest voted overwhelmingly on Monday to reject a contract offer from the Pacific Northwest Grain Handlers Association, paving the way for a potential lockout.

The labor dispute affects six grain terminals on the Willamette and Columbia rivers and Puget Sound in Washington and Oregon.

A statement issued in response to the vote by the Pacific Northwest Grain Handlers...